Mentor-Disciple Dialogue #4

Throughout this short series of dialogues, A MEMBER (AM) represents the doubts and concerns I’ve had about the mentor-disciple relationship over the years, and the DISTRICT LEADER (DL) represents my understanding of the mentor-disciple relationship today.

Here are the previous instalments...  Mentor-DiscipleDialogue #1, Mentor-DiscipleDialogue #2 & Mentor-DiscipleDialogue #3

LIVING THE MENTOR-DISCIPLE SPIRIT

AM:     At this month’s Chapter Study, the lecturer encouraged us to seek Sensei’s heart, why do I need to seek his heart and what is the oneness of mentor and disciple?

DL:       If you want to get to know more about President Ikeda and his contribution to the flow of kosen rufu, his diary, autobiographical novels and the HQ videos are all good sources, but the best way to seek Sensei’s heart – or to experience the oneness of mentor and disciple - is to actually live the practice and feel it yourself.

AM:     Live the practice?

DL:       Yeah.  Nichiren Buddhism is about action.  In “Letter to Jakunichi-bo”, Nichiren tells us to “spread the Lotus Sutra as he does” (WND-1, p994) It’s not about looking up to mentors, putting them on pedestals, or sucking up to them, it’s about facing the future WITH THEM and striving for kosen-rufu with the SAME selfless dedication. 

It’s the spirit of never begrudging our lives, like the Atsuhara farmers in 1278, who despite persecutions, beheadings and threats of exile refused to give up their faith even if it cost them their lives.  President Ikeda says “True disciples of the Lotus Sutra are those who struggle just as the mentor does.” (The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings: Volume 1, p274)

In other writings, President Ikeda has shared his view that this mentor-disciple relationship is “like the relationship between centrifugal (outward) and centripetal (inward) forces in rotational movement.  Developing a movement that widely spreads the ideals of Buddhism into society is like a centrifugal, or outward, force.  The stronger this centrifugal force becomes, the more important it is to have a powerful centripetal, or inward, force directed towards the teachings of Buddhism.  And the source of that ‘centripetal force’ is the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple.”  (“Art of Living” - July 2019, p23)

In my own practice, when I became a district leader I vowed to make sure that everyone in my district would be supported and feel the profound power of Nichiren Buddhism in their lives.  Since then home visits, study activities, dedicated toso and just being there to support members has become a large part of my practice.

AM:     And when we do all this we can feel the spirit of the mentor?

DL:       That’s right.  A few years ago, I made a determination to send out a daily e-mail for a whole year, based on my reflections on quotes from the Human Revolution series, to members in my HQ that wanted to receive it.  This was a monumental task which involved a great deal of daimoku and study, and it really opened my eyes to the tireless dedication of Nichiren Daishonin to encourage his followers in the midst of his struggles, and the daily commitment of President Ikeda in his words of encouragement, articles, books and lectures.  At that time I felt a closer oneness with Nichiren Daishonin, President Ikeda and Shakyamuni Buddha than ever before and I realised that TAKING ACTION is everything when it comes to the mentor-disciple relationship, and especially the oneness of the mentor-disciple relationship. 

AM:     So I don’t need to seek Sensei’s heart?

DL:       Seeking sensei’s heart is basically embracing the spirit that flows through Shakymuni’s Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI.  Let me give you another example. 

A few months ago, my wife and I had some time off work and at the end of the week, we were reflecting on all the home visits, study sessions, supporting other members, and the discussion meeting we had just attended.  I said to her “If we had time to sit around seeking Sensei’s heart, we wouldn’t be seeking Sensei’s heart.  We just need to stand up, support others and work for kosen-rufu”.

If I want to be a great hairdresser, I wouldn’t sit around talking about how great a famous stylist was or seeking their heart, I would study hairdressing and start to cut hair.  If I wanted to be a great doctor, I wouldn’t sit around talking about a great doctor or seeking their heart, I would study and start to practice medicine.  If you want to be a Bodhisattva of the Earth, you can learn from a great teacher, but ultimately YOU have to study and then DO IT YOURSELF.

AM:     So the mentor encourages and inspires us, we stand up and take responsibility, and then we connect even more with the spirit of the mentor and the heart of the teachings?

DL:       That’s right.  Nichiren Buddhism is not empty concepts, rituals or routines, it’s doing stuff that works.  We chant because it works.  We tell others about Buddhism because it works.  We study because it works.  The mentor-disciple relationship is the same.  It’s not a display of allegiance to the SGI or President Ikeda.  It’s an active part of our practice that keeps us on track and helps us to grow.  Put simply, it works. 

In his “Lectures on the Opening of the Eyes”, President Ikeda said “All who become genuine “disciples of Nichiren” (WND-1, p385) by making the Daishonin’s spirit and commitment their own… have in fact already opened wide the path to attaining Buddhahood.” (p253)